Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano

Only after I had finished this book did I discover that it was inspired by a true story. In 2010 a plane crashed in Libya and the sole survivor was a 9 year old Dutch boy, who lost his parents and older brother. Napolitano couldn’t stop wondering what happened to the boy, so she decided to write ‘Dear Edward’. 

In this fictionalized version of the events, Edward is a 12 year old boy boarding a plane from NY to LA with his parents and older brother, Jordan. The plane crashes in Colorado and Edward, the sole survivor, moves in with his aunt and uncle – who are already struggling with their own pain of childlessness. 

The book is split in two stories. One story takes us on the doomed plane where we get to meet some of the passengers. What are they running from? Who are they running towards? Are they in love? It is all about relationships and how we connect with each other, and especially how we connect with each other while being ‘trapped’ on a plane. 

The second part of the story follows Edward as he lives with his aunt and uncle. Luckily Shay, a 12 year old girl living next door, is open to a friendship with Edward and they are able to heal each other in the time that follows the crash. 

Edward is experiencing the kind of fame you wouldn’t wish upon your worst enemy, and it adds an extra perspective when he comes across a bag with letters from the relatives of the other passengers. The letters wish for Edward to carry the dreams of those passengers. The reader cannot help but ask at what point does the burden of it all become too heavy for a 12 year old…

‘Dear Edward’ is a very emotional book that shows the ripple effects of our actions. How we connect and how we leave impressions upon each other. Healing is hard, but it also contains love and hope, and the book leaves you wishing Edward all the best in the world. 

Pick it up if you liked…Where the Crawdads Sing.

Happy reading!

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